Fall Study Abroad Programs in Tuscania, Italy

I studied abroad for the main purpose of growing and developing my skills more as an artist. LdM offered amazing courses when it came to my interests, such as portrait oil painting and my senior art thesis. The professors are so skilled in their artistic training and techniques that they offer such thoughtful critiques on your artistic methods and how you can develop them skillfully. What I appreciated most about LdM was its large assortment of art courses. There were so many to choose from, such as jewelry-making, ceramics, photography, and my personal favorite, oil painting. I learned so much about myself as an artist through the students and especially through the professors. LdM does a fantastic job of integrating Italy and study abroad in their courses, as they encourage students to venture out and be inspired by artists of the Renaissance. There was never a day where I wasn't learning something new.

I thought it was going to be very cultured and homey. It was. I did research some websites about the city and a brief overview of how it was. It was so welcoming and homey. Everyone was accepting and caring. I wanted to immerse myself in Italian culture and I did. I met new lifelong friends and learned the language more easily. Interacting was not hard, because most people spoke English. Language is not a barrier. The environment is so close that you will be really good friends with your peers. It is honestly worth it. Especially if you want to explore under the surface. Get to know the staff, they are great and super nice. They help out a lot.

I could not be happier with my experience with LdM because it was by far the best semester of school I have ever had. Being in the 3 Cities program was amazing giving me experiences of a lifetime. In my first city Tuscania I really did not know what to expect when I got there, not nervous, just excited but when we arrived Massimo, Mei, and Arianna were nothing but pleasant and beyond helpful. Mei took all of us under our wing and I thought of her as a caring mother figure that wanted nothing for the best for us during our time there. Massimo was everyone’s favorite of course. His brilliant sense of style combined with his kind eyes, and humor left everyone wanting to talk to him. There seemed to never be a dull moment with him especially during car rides. Arianna was very helpful assisting is with logistics and travel plans always doing whatever she could. Our professors for cooking and Italian Language were also amazing and I don't think I would have a complaint for either of them. Rome was a little different story as the staff were not as immersed in our community since they had many more students other than just the LdM Three Cities program but overall a pleasant time with good professors as well. Venice was amazing with Irene our advisor being an absolute delight, she did everything she could planning activities almost every day for us (which I attended close to all of) and making sure our time there was spent well. With Irene being a bit younger we all felt very comfortable with her, talking about our problems or our fun times. I would really like it if she would get some recognition for being an insanely wonderful advisor as well as person. Being in a group with only 9 other people you'd think it would be hard to not be friends with everyone and maybe you wouldn't like anyone but I was lucky enough to gain some really wonderful friends whom I regularly still talk to after 5 months. I would say overall it was a magnificent experience. I believe I have gained and learned everything. Every single day I learnt something new whether it was a new word, a part of a culture, something about the city, or myself. I could go for days talking about the new knowledge I've learned.

This was an overall great program and I would recommend it to anyone studying abroad. I only wish that they had kept the school open on Fridays and sometimes during the weekends so I could have access to the computers to write papers and do research. I also wish they would have had Mac computers throughout the whole session, with Photoshop capabilities, for those who wanted to do photography on their own time. I have always wanted to study abroad in Italy and LdM’s programs stood out to me the most when deciding who to study with. I learned about the cultures of Italy and I got to immerse myself in a local Italian environment. Tuscania is definitely a unique program that I would be happy to do over again. The staff were friendly and helpful and I was able to explore around the areas of Tuscania on day trips and on weekends.

Studying in Tuscania, a small town of only 8000 people in the central hills of Italy, is a truly unique abroad experience. When I first arrived in February of 2016, I was enthralled with the colors, the landscape, the architecture, the cobblestone. I have not since lost this sense of awe after two months of living in the town. The days are lively, with people going about their daily routines, but still there is a quiet peacefulness that permeates through the air. The culture of central Italy is alive in Tuscania, as is shown through the open air market on Friday mornings, the many restaurants with (delicious) authentic Italian cuisine, the rolling hills and constant sounds of the Italian language spoken by locals. The Lorenzo de Medici International Italian Institute is successful in fully immersing its students into the real life of Italy as well. Excursions are planned weekly to visit near by towns and even to meet with local artists. On top of the LdM excursions, the phenomenal API team leaders have taken our group to Florence, Arezzo, Umbria and in a few weeks, the Amalfi Coast. For a truly authentic Italian experience, I suggest nothing more than the API Tuscania program! In Tuscania you will be entirely immersed in the language, the culture and the beauty of Italy.

Academic Programs International responded to this reviewApril 01, 2016

Wow Katherine, thank you for such an effusive review! We love Tuscania too - a wonderful place to experience authentic, small-town Italy!

Academic Programs International provided the spectacular opportunity for me to study abroad in Tuscania, Italy. The small town in central Italy was the perfect location to study Italian culture and cuisine, not to mention the bonus of experience the autumn grape harvest of the Toscana, Umbria, and Lazio regions. API offered clear, friendly, and overall excellent guidance from the planning stages through to departure from the country. Each step of my journey was made possible by the program director and the on-site API representative. Thanks, API!

Academic Programs International responded to this reviewJanuary 13, 2016

Thanks for sharing your experience Lauren - so glad to hear it was so great!